So what is the big fuss about all of these rehab centers and how in the world do we know what rehab center is best for ourselves or a loved one. While there are many aspects to addiction treatment and there is a wide array of differences among rehab centers many individuals simply want to know if they should utilize a residential rehab center, an outpatient rehab center, or both forms of rehab in conjunction. This is a good question and here is a good answer.

First, let me say that there is a good need for both residential rehab and outpatient rehab dependent on the person. And ultimately, the individual’s personal preference and comfort will dictate the rehab setting they choose. While both rehab settings are important, let’s shed some light on the topic to make a more informed decision in our rehab center search.

Often there are two types of individuals that this author frequently encounters. First is the person that associates residential rehab as the only possible way to treat their addiction and stay free of substance abuse. The second individual states that checking out of life and into a rehab center is not even an option given their other obligations in life and would rather continue using that risk any negative impacts to these obligations.

Based on research and current trends residential rehab, while in some cases being a vital part of treatment, has a high rate of relapse if not followed by some sort of outpatient rehab. This being the case there may not always be a need to enter residential rehab centers at the initiation of rehab. If the need does arise many outpatient rehab centers have the ability to freeze their rehab program and utilize a residential rehab as needed. Some of these cases might include a need for medical stabilization, or non-compliance in an outpatient rehab setting.

So why is outpatient rehab so important to addiction treatment? It’s simple, it has to do with the way addiction affects the brain and how individuals deal with stress. It can be explained in this simple analogy, without getting too much into the science. The brain recognizes the substance used as a coping mechanism that is much more efficient than other and so a memory is stored for reference in similar situations. This is much like a coat or blanket when we get cold.

So, as negatives are associated with substance abuse, let’s say all blankets and coats have small pox and there is no vaccine. So, if you use a blanket or coat you may not die immediately but you would eventually and if you see your family you might negatively affect them as well. Now, we have to figure out alternate forms to stay warm without grabbing a blanket or coat. Thrown out in the cold anyone, knowing what is on these items, would grab them before death occurs. What is the difference between residential rehab and outpatient rehab? I’ll leave you with this final question.

Would we be more successful learning a technique to stay warm on a beach in Florida or in Maine with 6 feet of snow on the ground and someone to guide us?

Scott McKinney is the Vice President at Midwest Institute for Addiction; a state liscensed medically assisted treatment center in St. Louis, Missouri. MIA is committed to providing quality treatment.

Out of the various programs for addiction treatment in Massachusetts, the residential treatment program is indubitably the most elaborate treatment program. This program is mainly targeted at people who are in severe conditions of addiction; those that are not expected to ever be treated from their condition. But the program tries its sincere best to make these people come out of the addiction in the most effective way possible. Here we see some points that indicate why the residential treatment program in Massachusetts is called as one of the most comprehensive forms of treatment in the state.

Who does Residential Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts target?

As already mentioned, residential treatment is for people who are in seemingly irretrievable conditions of substance abuse and addiction. The following is a list of the people whom this form of treatment helps:-

1. People who have used the substance for several years will find this program very effective because the rigid methods used here will help them overcome what seems to be a point of no return in their addiction.

2. People who have some health complication or a psychiatric condition that is making their addiction treatment difficult will also find the benefits of such a program. Residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts also incorporates a detox program and a dual diagnosis treatment program, both of which can help these people to come out of their addiction quite effectively and also find a solution to their coexisting ailments.

3. People who have been apprehended of some drug or alcohol related offense will be ordered by drug courts in Massachusetts to complete an addiction treatment program, which will mostly be required to be completed in a residential treatment center. This is where they will be trained in giving up the addiction for their own good and for the good of the society they live in. It must be noted that these people would not have accepted any treatment if they were not forced by the drug court. In this manner, the drug courts are collaborating with the residential treatment centers to fight the addiction problem.

4. People who have tried other methods of addiction treatment and failed can try residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts as the last option. It is also the treatment option that will really work for their condition.

What does Residential Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts entail?

It is necessary to know now how the residential treatment program works. Basically, there are three main phases of the program.

1. Intervention – This is the part of the program where the patient is helped to understand the extent of the problem they are facing and that they require treatment. Most people who are into an addiction will not want to accept any method of treatment. But a suitable intervention program helps them to understand what the situation is really like. The first part of the residential addiction treatment program in Massachusetts is about this. During this phase, the treatment center might take the help of the family and friends of the patient in order to better convince them to get into the treatment.

2. Detoxification – Detoxification becomes necessary since the patients coming into these programs are into the addiction since a long period of time. Detox treatment in a residential treatment center in Massachusetts will also go longer than the normal detox treatment for this reason. It will require special care and counseling even as it is going on because people who are into severe forms of addictions need more support during the difficult detox period. There can be no residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts that does not include the detox program because without removing the addictive substance from the body of the person, it is impossible to remove the cravings of the substance that the person has. In other words, the treatment of the addiction becomes impossible.

3. Aftercare – The aftercare treatment is the most prolonged phase of addiction treatment in a residential center. The basic purpose of the aftercare is to counsel and educate the patient on the addiction and to make them know methods in which they can stay away from the cravings. This can take a long time because patients won’t be spontaneously ready to give up their dependencies. During this part of the treatment, patients are taught methods such as Yoga, breathing exercises, relaxation methods and various other therapies that can help them curb the temptation for the substance whenever it occurs. In some treatment centers, families are also counseled on how they can cope with the condition. This program is mainly targeted at people who are in severe conditions of addiction; those that are not expected to ever be treated from their condition. But the program tries its sincere best to make these people come out of the addiction in the most effective way possible. Here we see some points that indicate why the residential treatment program in Massachusetts is called as one of the most comprehensive forms of treatment in the state.

Who does Residential Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts target?

As already mentioned, residential treatment is for people who are in seemingly irretrievable conditions of substance abuse and addiction. The following is a list of the people whom this form of treatment helps:-

1. People who have used the substance for several years will find this program very effective because the rigid methods used here will help them overcome what seems to be a point of no return in their addiction.

2. People who have some health complication or a psychiatric condition that is making their addiction treatment difficult will also find the benefits of such a program. Residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts also incorporates a detox program and a dual diagnosis treatment program, both of which can help these people to come out of their addiction quite effectively and also find a solution to their coexisting ailments.

3. People who have been apprehended of some drug or alcohol related offense will be ordered by drug courts in Massachusetts to complete an addiction treatment program, which will mostly be required to be completed in a residential treatment center. This is where they will be trained in giving up the addiction for their own good and for the good of the society they live in. It must be noted that these people would not have accepted any treatment if they were not forced by the drug court. In this manner, the drug courts are collaborating with the residential treatment centers to fight the addiction problem.

4. People who have tried other methods of addiction treatment and failed can try residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts as the last option. It is also the treatment option that will really work for their condition.

What does Residential Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts entail?

It is necessary to know now how the residential treatment program works. Basically, there are three main phases of the program.

1. Intervention – This is the part of the program where the patient is helped to understand the extent of the problem they are facing and that they require treatment. Most people who are into an addiction will not want to accept any method of treatment. But a suitable intervention program helps them to understand what the situation is really like. The first part of the residential addiction treatment program in Massachusetts is about this. During this phase, the treatment center might take the help of the family and friends of the patient in order to better convince them to get into the treatment.

2. Detoxification – Detoxification becomes necessary since the patients coming into these programs are into the addiction since a long period of time. Detox treatment in a residential treatment center in Massachusetts will also go longer than the normal detox treatment for this reason. It will require special care and counseling even as it is going on because people who are into severe forms of addictions need more support during the difficult detox period. There can be no residential addiction treatment in Massachusetts that does not include the detox program because without removing the addictive substance from the body of the person, it is impossible to remove the cravings of the substance that the person has. In other words, the treatment of the addiction becomes impossible.

3. Aftercare – The aftercare treatment is the most prolonged phase of addiction treatment in a residential center. The basic purpose of the aftercare is to counsel and educate the patient on the addiction and to make them know methods in which they can stay away from the cravings. This can take a long time because patients won’t be spontaneously ready to give up their dependencies. During this part of the treatment, patients are taught methods such as Yoga, breathing exercises, relaxation methods and various other therapies that can help them curb the temptation for the substance whenever it occurs. In some treatment centers, families are also counseled on how they can cope with the condition.